SMALL change

CAN TAKING BABY STEPS HELP YOU GAIN STRONGER CONTROL OF YOUR FINANCES? SARA KEENAN LEARNS MORE

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A NEW year can be a great time to set new financial goals, but it can also be overwhelming and stressful if people try to make sweeping changes.

According to research from People’s Pension young adults are in fact looking for ways to reset and feel more in control for 2026.

However, 70% have said that small, everyday wins, not big life changes, help them to feel more positive and in control.

We spoke with Roxie Nafousi, self-development coach and bestselling author of Manifest, about the importance of small steps.

Why can trying to take big steps be detrimental to progress?

Roxie explains that one of the main reasons big steps can be an issue is because our brains are wired to avoid overwhelm and discomfort.

"Sometimes, when a goal feels too big, instead of moving forward we actually just freeze," she says. "This is because it feels so huge that suddenly all our fears, doubts or insecurities come in.

"I often think about goals as like going on a hike.

"When you see the top of the mountain, you think 'there is no way I’m going to be able to get there,' and you want to turn back.

"However, when you just take one step at a time, eventually you look back and think 'look how far I’ve come."